Rwandan Genocide researchers now have a platform to showcase their work internationally and have a chance to shape global opinion, thanks to Research, Policy and Higher Education (RPHE) programme established by Aegis Trust.

Aegis Trust is a non-governmental organisation involved in prevention of genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. It establised the RPHE programme jointly with the UK’s Department for International Development.

The programme seeks to inform policy and practice on peace building and genocide prevention with evidence.

The programme will support the Rwandan research community in the production and communication of the evidence through funding, trainings, workshops and networking.

Already, 12 research proposals are set to receive funding, participate in series of workshops and a mentoring programmes throughout the year before they submit their academic journals and policy briefs in December, according to Aegis Trust.

The 12 were selected from the 171 research proposals submitted by Rwandan academics in genocide-related studies.

The proposals touch on subjects such as reconciliation, transitional justice, trauma, gender dimensions of post-genocide recovery, post-genocide economic development, and the role of education and media in peace building.

Experts say the research projects meant to influence policy decision will play a huge role in the fight against genocide denial and ideology which has informed this year’s Rwandan Genocide commemoration theme.

Earlier this month, the National Commission for the fight against the Genocide (CNLG), announced that the proposed theme of the commemoration this year will be centered around fighting Genocide denial beyond the Rwandan borders.

Dr Phil Clark, head of the pogramme and reader in Comparative and International Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, told The New Times last week that most of the papers set to receive support this year will tackle genocide denial and ideology, through exploring how and why the genocide happened.

Promoting Rwandan voices

Dr Clark said the programme will add the proportion of Rwandan voices in debates around genocide which is currently dominated by non-Rwandans.

"Overall, funding these projects is designed to boost the capacity of Rwandan researchers, to showcase their work to international audience and to support a flourishing research community in Rwanda through a series of trainings and workshops. It will also start to change international discussions about Rwanda, which until now have been dominated by non-Rwandans,” Dr Clark said.

Last year, the BBC aired a controversial documentary titled, ‘Rwanda, the untold story’ which has been at the centre of debate as one of the latest cases of genocide denial.

An independent commission probing the documentary and its intentions recently recommended that the Government of Rwanda considers legal action against those involved.

In a recent interview with The New Times, the Chairperson of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Unity, Human Rights and fight against Genocide, François Byabarumwanzi, highlighted the need for continued sensitisation to deal with denial.

Byabarumwanzi said they lacked coordination to deal with Genocide denial.

The initiative has been widely welcomed by the local research community saying that it will provide a platform to share knowledge around the genocide globally.

Dr Alice Karekezi, the co-founder of the Centre for Conflict Management at the University of Rwanda – whose research proposal is among those set to receive support – said the initiative had increased local researchers resolve to fight genocide ideology through provision of quality analysis.

"Not only does it reinforce our capacity to produce better data and analysis on genocide-related issues in Rwanda and comparable contexts, it also strengthens our determination to prevent mass atrocities in Rwanda and elsewhere through knowledge exchange and international collaboration,” Karekezi said.

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